I go by the name of "Tatu". Welcome to Japanese
Rope Art. Who am I? I am simply a student of the "ARt of Rope". Some
might say I am a "Sensei", which basically means "teacher". Actually to
westerners, the word Sensei is translated somewhat incorrectly as, "Master"
and it stirs
up
images of Kung-Fu or Karate Kid movies. To the Asian, Sensei has many
applications, and martial arts is only one, and it does not however specifically
mean Master in the sense of a BDSM Master. A Sensei is one who has
walked a certain path before you, and is looked to as an example, a guide,
a teacher or mentor.

In terms of rope binding, some in the west might
say I am a "Shibari Sensei".

However, if we are to be truly accurate, a teacher
of rope would be a "Nawa Sensei" because Shibari means "to tie", the word
for rope is "Nawa". If you get hold of any articles on the Japanese/Tokyo
Rope scene, you will find the term "Nawa Sensei" in predominant
use.

Sensei & Japanese
Mind

Actually, to the Japanese mind, one would NEVER
call himself a Sensei. That would be extremely improper and extremely audacious.
In Japanese culture it is only proper for the student to call his
instructor a Sensei, and only if s/he truly feels that their teacher has
walked in the art or skill and the student has received something of
high value, and therefore highly regards the teacher.

While I do love to teach, I make no claims about
being a "Master". I am simply a student of the art of rope.

Nawashi

Nawashi is a term denoting nawa = rope shi = practitioner with
some level of compentence. It simply refers to an accomplished rope practitioner.
Some in Japan use this term in the sense of an honored title such as sensei.
Those in the Japanese porn industry have adopted it to designate their
work.

What is this ARt of Japanese
Rope?

Nawa
Shibari, is a popular term in use in the
west today for Japanese Rope Bondage. Literally the words mean, "to bind
tightly with a cord or rope". Nawa is the Japanese word for
"thread or cord" and Shibari is the term for "to bind". Actually the
word is "shibaru" and is a very common word in use in Japan
referring to weaving with materials to make cloth. So for one to use the
term Nawa Shibari in Japan today to refer to Rope Bondage might not
be understood as you might think. Your would probably be thought of as one
who weaves cloth. Using the term Nawa Shibari is a modern usage.

A term I prefer for this
art was and actually still is the main term used in Japan which is
Kinbaku, which is a term that
was used hundreds of years ago during the Edo Period to describe torture
using rope. Kinbaku came into being as a by product of a practice of the
art of Japanese prisoner restraint, known today among martial artists as
hojojutsu. When the modern Japanese Rope bondager use the term Kinbaku, they
are generally referring to a harder more sadistic form of Japanese Rope
Art.

Another term in use today
in Japan is"Nawakesho". I really like this term.
It literally means "rope make-up" or the "cosmetics of rope". Nawa =
rope and kesho = a cosmetic art. In other words today in Japan the craft
is thought of as "Rope ARt"! One could say it is kind of a trendy
modern term.

Interestingly enough, the most common word in
use in Japan to day to describe Japanese Rope ARt is the ENGLISH word,
"BONDAGE". Yes you heard me correctly. The Japanese have
appropriated a number of English words to describe the ARt to the
west.

The word
"shichiseki" has been associated
to mean Japanese Rope Bondage by some, it does not. See the essay titled
"Shichiseki"

Safe * Sane *
Consensual

Rope Play is just that.... "play between consenting
adults." This site is intended to give basic instruction on Safe, Sane
& Consensual rope play. While the nature of bondage play suggests
to some of the western mind "non-consensuality", it is in reality erotic
role play and sensuous fantasy worked out between consenting adults for their
mutual pleasure. Any bondage that is not consensual is not BDSM, not legal,
and should be dealt with harshly by our community.

Concerning the term BDSM

B/D = Bondage and Discipline

D/s = Dominance and
submission,

S/M = Sadism and
Masochism

When it comes to Bondage Play, a the Rope Artists
may or may not fit into any of these categories. Bondage may be used
as a part of Discipline or Dominance & submission. Bondage
can be used by the pure sadist and masochist to inflict pain, and it really
have nothing to do with Dominance and submissive Role play.

Then again Bondage play may stand entirely on
its own apart from any of the other roles. As someone once said,

"We are not into BDSM. I just tie her up in
bed."

So I share with you what I have learned....
I am a student. I am still learning.

What I do with rope perhaps has a few unique
qualities. While many who practice or teach Japanese Rope Art do so with
torture and cruelty in mind, my Rope Art is somewhat different in that while
it embraces modern rope practices in Japan of eroticism, perhaps mine goes
another step and includes a spiritual-sensual component. Something that is
totally foreign to many western rope practices.

The Way / My Way

A place of learning in any Japanese Arts is called a "Dojo".
Because of the employment of the use of that word by the martial arts in
the west, it is most commonly associated with that art, but in reality it
is used of all places of learning. So essentially what we are creating
here for you could be termed a "Kinbaku-do" or perhaps a
"Nawa-do".

The Japanese use a suffix "-do" . It literally
means "the way". In American martial arts the participants refer to
the place where they learn and practice their skills as a "dojo" or a
"karate-do". To the Japanese the do or dojo is simply "a place of
learning", a place to practice the art, to walk in "the way" of the
art.

So the Japanese rope artist sometimes likens
his place of learning as a Dojo.

Rope and Tea

Yet another practice that has been center to
the Japanese culture for many centuries is the participation in the Japanese
Tea Ceremony. I have studied japanese tea with a Tea Master. I learned
that the precision of each element, each movement has profound meaning.
While tea is not specifically a spiritual practice, there is a meditative
element as guests ponder the beauty, the sounds and the aromas of the moment.
The Art of Tea inspires me in my Rope ARt more so than any martial
arts model. For me doing the Way of Rope is more like a doing the Way
of Tea .

Rope &
Spirituality

I also apply the Art of Rope on a foundation
of ancient philosophies of the Tantrics and Taoist. I call what I do, "The
Way of Rope", because it is something one must walk in and experience to
gain a full appreciation of the power of Rope Art.

What I have learned over the years
has come from many sources, but primarily from contacts and sources I have
made in Japan, as well as learning from Japanese websites.

One of the finest Japanese learning websites
that I found some years ago that disappeared a couple of years ago was formally
at www.kikkou.com and the teacher was Osada Eikichi Sensei. he is regarded
by many in Japan today as the Grand Master of Rope.

Again, I do not pretend to be an expert or a
master of this art. I am a student, constantly learning, growing and
enriching my art, but mostly just having fun with the sensual beauty of this
erotic art form.

So please understand that I am not trying
to present the "only way" or "the definitive way", or even "the best way",
but simply my way. That is all any teacher can do.

What you do with it is YOUR Art. In fact, I hope you develop many wonderful
and creative ways of doing your rope. I would be a failure as a teacher if
you came to think that my way is the only way. Each Rope Artist brings something
unique and creative to the table. I would be very disappointed if you limited
your art to just emulate mine.

I hope you enjoy studying and learning The Way
of Rope.... as I practice the way of Japanese Rope Art. May it inspire
you to new and beautiful works of art.

Afterthought: I used to say that one of my
major claims to fame is that I was a Boy Scout and
yes, I was an Eagle and a member of the Brotherhood and the Order of
the Arrow. Yes, I have a knot-tying merit badge. While I am grateful for
that heritage, I must admit I am embarrassed and ashamed of the scouting
organization today for its bigoted stand on gays.